Childminder in Wakefield

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

321746 Unique Reference Number 10 January 2008 Inspection date Angela Margaret Ellis Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

p.2

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

p.2

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1997. She is registered to care for six children and at present has nine children on roll and they attend either full time or on a part time basis.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her husband and three children in their home in Ossett, a town near to the City of Wakefield. There are shops, childcare groups, parks and schools in the vicinity. The whole of the ground floor and a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed rear garden used for outdoor play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is satisfactorily promoted because the childminder follows health and hygiene guidelines, policies and procedures. She has all of the required records in place to gather

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 information from parents regarding medical needs, dietary requirements and allergies. Written consent from parents for the seeking of any emergency medical advice or treatment is in place.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about personal hygiene through their daily routines, because the childminder regularly reinforces suitable hygiene practices. For example, children are reminded to wash their hands before and after meals and after going to the toilet. However, a communal towel is being used by them for hand drying. Therefore posing a risk of cross infection.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a varied balance of nutritious meals, snacks and drinks because the childminder provides plenty of fruit and vegetables. At the time of the inspection, the childminder provided fresh carrots for snack and a drink. All the children eat together at the table which promotes a relaxed social time and they are encouraged to eat at their own pace and enjoy their food. Older children are asked for their ideas for meals and participate in the preparation of them, enhancing their involvement and enjoyment in mealtimes.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children make good progress in their physical development because the childminder provides a good range of physical activities indoors, outdoors and on outings. They have access to a variety of large and small equipment in the garden, play gyms and at parks. This helps them gain confidence and enjoy moving their bodies in various ways. Their fine manipulative skills and control are developed through a variety of activities such as, drawing, painting and playing with play dough. Children play, rest and sleep according to their individual needs because the childminder acts in the best interests of the children and works with parents to agree sleeping arrangements.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and welcoming environment both indoors and outdoors. Risk assessments are undertaken and where risks are identified, these are minimised. Children have a balance between freedom and safe limits. The childminder understands that suitable types of activities and appropriate levels of support give the children confidence to take risks and try out new skills. She knows their capabilities well. Good procedures are in place to keep children safe when they are on outings.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children safely and independently select activities from a varied range of good quality toys and activities. These are highly appropriate to children’s age and stage of development and all meet safety standards. Children show a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe and healthy. For example, they are reminded to pick toys up from the floor, so as not to trip up and hurt themselves.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn the procedures for fire evacuation because they regularly practise them. The childminder has all of the required documents to ensure that she acts in the best interests of the children. She has an understanding of child protection issues and has recently attended child protection training, however, the child protection policy has not been updated in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate, to act in the best interest of the children if they are ill or have an accident.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled, confident and content in a stimulating and caring environment. Effective and established routines meet the needs of children, for example, for meals, activities and outings. The independence of the children is promoted well because children have free access to a varied range of good quality equipment and make their own choices with enthusiasm and confidence. The childminder knows the children's likes and dislikes well, and therefore provides activities that she knows will interest and challenge them. For example, during the inspection the children play imaginatively, sing and dance to music and show an interest in books.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are supported by the childminder well when necessary, demonstrating that she understands when and when not to intervene. A caring and affectionate relationship is promoted through good interaction between the children and the childminder.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Parents are kept informed about their child's activities through verbal discussion, a collective record of art work and photographs. This is informative and demonstrates that the childminder values these and this has a positive impact on children’s self-esteem.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The outcomes for children under three years old are well met, the childminder has attended training and is familiarising herself with the 'Birth to three matters' framework, to positively use it and raise the quality of the outcomes for children under three years old.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children's needs are well met by the childminder. She treats all children with equal concern, valuing and respecting their individuality. She ensures all children can take part in a good range of activities appropriate to their needs and abilities, and promotes an inclusive provision for all.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop an awareness of diversity and other cultures through age-appropriate activities, for example, through books and role play activities that represent positive images of others within society. A cultural element is brought into the food they eat and discussions take place about which countries different foods come from. Children become aware of similarities and differences and increase their understanding of the wider world, through discussions as situations arise.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children become aware of the local community and learn to develop a positive attitude towards others. For example, children attend the local school and pre-school and attend local childminder support group. This helps the children learn about their local community and their environment through their routines. They also learn and develop an awareness of the seasons and nature through outings.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well in response to the childminder's consistent approach to managing behaviour. Clear and realistic boundaries are established which promotes children’s understanding of right and wrong and they learn to care about and respect each other. Children make choices and independent decisions that contribute to their own learning and development of new skills. Because the childminder provides a good range of activities that captures children's interests, they behave well.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Successful partnerships with parents contribute well to the children’s well-being and provides continuity of care. The childminder provides a good range of information about her service. This two-way sharing of information and expertise allows the childminder to continually meet the children’s ever-changing needs and keeps both parties well informed. Children clearly benefit from this effective partnership and settle well in response which enhances their experience and makes it a positive one. There is a complaints policy to share with parents, however, it has not been updated in line with the requirements.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The organisation of the setting promotes positive outcomes for children because the childminder has several years experience, and continues to be enthusiastic and motivated in her work with children. She has cared for many of the children and their siblings for many years, demonstrating that the parents trust that their children are being well cared for. She has a commitment to training and continued professional development by keeping up to date with current childcare issues and attending short courses.

p.5

Organisation

Children benefit from a balance of home-based play and outings because the childminder encourages the children to broaden their interests and experiences, this is evident in the range of activities provided for the children and her interaction with them. Resources and activities are organised imaginatively both indoors and outdoors. This includes providing areas for children to play, rest and sleep.

p.5

Organisation

All of the required records are available for inspection and accurately recorded. A comprehensive range of documentation has been devised to share with parents. However, some aspects have not been updated. Confidentiality is maintained because documents are kept secure and any issues are discussed privately. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Progress has been made since the last inspection. The childminder agreed to develop resources that promote cultural and social diversity, establish an incident book and improve emergency evacuation procedures.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Children now have access to a range of activities that represent positive images and multicultural items within the play provision. These help to raise children's awareness of diversity and cultural differences. An incident record is now in place that enables the childminder to implement the appropriate procedures to safeguard children. Fire procedures have been improved because fire drills are carried out with the children. This enables the childminder to act in the best interest of the children.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that children have access to individual hand drying facilities to minimise the risk of cross infection • update the child protection policy in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures • update the complaints policy in line with the regulations.

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.6